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Proposed Charter Amendments July 15, 2014 Page 2 of 2 DISCUSSION On May 20, 2014, the City Council directed staff to prepare necessary documents to place the proposed City Charter and Municipal Code Amendments on the ballot for the November 4, 2014 Election, as recommended by an ad hoc committee. The committee discussed the draft language proposals and approved the proposed questions presented herein. The California Elections Code requires the adoption of the attached resolutions in order to place ballot measure questions before the voters on the November 4, 2014 ballot. The attached resolutions will allow voters to consider ballot questions as included in the resolution. The attached resolutions also permit the filing of written arguments in favor of or against such measure by members of the City Council, any individual voter eligible to vote on the measure, a bona fide association of such citizens or any combination thereof, and establishes deadlines for submission of such arguments to the Clerk of the Council. The Elections Code specifies that members of the Council would be given preference and priority, if authorized by the City Council. The subject resolution would give that authorization to any member of the Council desiring to submit an argument. The procedures for filing ballot arguments are detailed in the Elections Code. The Election Code procedures, as well as general guidelines for preparing arguments will be provided in a notice prepared by the Clerk of the Council and posted following final adoption of the election ordinance. Whenever a City measure qualifies to be on a ballot, the City Council may direct the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure showing the effect of the measure on the existing law and the operation of the measure (Elections Code §9280). The analysis is printed in the Voter Information Pamphlet preceding the arguments for and against the measure. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5 Community Health, Livability, Engagement & Sustainability, Objective #1 (Establish a comprehensive community engagement initiative to expand access to information and create opportunities for stakeholders to play an active role in discussing public policy and setting priorities). FISCAL IMPACT The cost to consolidate the General Municipal Election is estimated to be $225,000. Funds for these administrative costs are available in the General Non - Departmental, Contractual Services account no. 01105015 62300, FY 2013 -2014 and 2014 -2015. APPROVED AS TO FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS -i twsmr i ®r .A �) Francisco Gutierrez, Executive Director Finance & Management Services Agency Attachments 1 -4 (labeled) 65A -2